Premier League matches

Arsenal 7, Blackburn Rovers 1

Gunners Use Width to Rediscover Scoring Touch

Arsenal finally rediscovered the goalscoring habit and hit seven past lowly Blackburn Rovers. It was the way that the Gunners used their natural width that defined the free-scoring performance.

Wide men Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain led the way. The duo regularly made well-timed runs inside the full-back and central defender and provided a consistent outlet for Arsenal to utilise on the counterattack.

One such run led to a second-minute lead for Arsene Wenger's team. Walcott was picked out by makeshift right back Francis Coquelin and dragged the ball across the box for Robin van Persie to nudge the Gunners in front.

This familiar combination linked up again after Rovers had equalised via a Morten Gamst Pedersen free kick. This time it was Alex Song who spotted Walcott's run and hit him in stride with a decisive through pass. Walcott reversed the ball to Van Persie and the Gunners skipper turned it in to put Arsenal back in front.

Walcott and Van Persie then combined moments later with the England speedster laying the ball off to the cerebral Dutchman who slotted a nice pass into the path of Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 18-year-old rounded Paul Robinson and netted his first Premier League goal for Arsenal.

In the second half, Walcott again got loose and stretched Blackburn's defense with his sprinter's speed. He slid the ball into path of Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had the pace to match him on the break and the youngster slammed home his second goal of the day.

This is how Arsenal's front three is supposed to function. Fluid movement and quick interchanges at pace can expose any defense and the Gunners have the natural speed to utilise these tactics against any opposition.

Nobody is going to catch Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain when they are in full flight. Van Persie has the flair, creative instincts and passing range to drop into space and pick out the passes to match their runs.

Playing to the speed of Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain allows Arsenal to be more direct and move the ball more quickly. They can bypass the quagmire created by teams who choose to crowd the midfield and close off the space for the short passing game.

Arsenal have struggled this season playing a system based around the talents of Cesc Fabregas, without a player possessing the similar skills. By emphasising the wingers more, the Gunners can reduce the need for and reliance on a central playmaker.

Manchester City 3-0 Fulham

Sergio Aguero leads hosts to comfortable victory as they move three points clear at top of Premier League

Routine win despite extremely snowy conditions at the Etihad Stadium with the majestic Argentine, Edin Dzeko and a Chris Baird own-goal sealing the win for Roberto Mancini's side

Stefan Savic came into the City backline in place of injured captain Vincent Kompany, with Aleksandar Kolarov and Adam Johnson also replacing Gael Clichy and James Milner, respectively.

Martin Jol re-instated Mark Schwarzer to his line-up and opted for Baird rather than John Arne Riise at left-back for the Cottagers, while Clint Dempsey partnered Moussa Dembele in attack.

Roberto Mancini's team started dominantly and had early chances through Dzeko, firing into Schwarzer's arms before flicking over from Gareth Barry's cross under pressure from Brede Hangeland.

The home side had a glorious chance to open the scoring after ten minutes, Adam Johnson jinking his way into the box before going over Baird's outstretched leg. Mike Dean pointed to the spot and Aguero dispatched the penalty with ease.

The Cottagers were struggling to get a foothold in the game with City dominating possession, but they looked to work a way back into the game as Simon Davies' shot low towards goal, but his effort was saved by Hart.

City constantly looked dangerous on the break, with Aguero's play particularly ominous as the Argentine tricked his way into the box and with no Fulham players wanting to make a challenge, cut the ball back to Silva who prodded wide.

Fulham were feeding off scraps, although Duff worried Hart with a searching effort that almost crept in at the far post.

However, City went straight up the other end and doubled their lead. Kolarov's deep cross from the left fell to Johnson who fired the ball back across goal and with Baird unfortunately positioned, the Ulsterman was only able to cannon a deflection past Schwarzer.

The home side had another shout for a penalty moments later as Silva went down under Dickson Etuhu's challenge in the box, with the Nigerian not seeming to contact the ball, but referee Dean declined the hosts' pleas.

Mancini's men continued on the offensive for the rest of the first half but were unable to breach the Fulham backline another time before half-time.

Aguero fires City on their way to three points with early penalty

The west Londoners started the second half better, keeping the ball well but ultimately unable to break down City's defence, with Savic looking much improved from his previously nervy outings.

The home side were also forced into making an early change, Nasri limping off with just eight minutes gone in the second-half, getting replaced by James Milner.

Snow had fallen throughout much of the game, and the groundstaff were summoned to clear the lines of the pitch that had become obscured under a wintery blanket.

As the snow became stronger, the action failed to warm up, although Stephen Kelly almost troubled an off-balanced Hart with a toe-poked effort, before the England number one dealt comfortably with Baird's rifled free-kick.

City were stunned into action, Aguero turned neatly in the box, but saw his shot blocked by Danny Murphy before Kolarov curled a close-range free-kick over the bar.

Soon after, City had their third. Aguero picked the ball up on the left flank, darted into the box, breezing past Senderos and Davies before squaring to the unmarked Dzeko, who tapped home from eight yards.

With the game all but won for City, Mancini brought off Aguero to a standing ovation and replaced the Argentine with Nigel de Jong to shore up the midfield for the final ten minutes.

Fulham continued to chase a late goal, Riise stinging Hart's palms, but they were unable to find the net and City kept yet another home clean sheet as they move three points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table, with the Champions in action at Chelsea on Sunday.

Source: goal.com

... to be followed ...

The matches: Chelsea vs Man Utd will be played today and Liverpool vs Tottenham will be played tomorrow.

Premier League news

Captain fantastic - Robin van Persie reinforces leadership skills to haul Arsenal back from precipice & quieten the boo boys

Dutch master leads from the front with two emphatic penalties on an uplifting afternoon in which he inspired team-mates on and off the pitch

Whether or not Arsene Wenger pointed a revolver at his players’ heads at half-time, without the ammunition provided by Robin van Persie there would have been no epic second-half comeback on another madcap afternoon at Arsenal.
Captain fantastic showed great composure to slot away two penalties, one in each corner of Shay Given’s net, to start and complete his team’s revival and haul them back from the FA Cup precipice.

But there was more to the flying Dutchman’s work than steely nerve and unerring accuracy from 12 yards. He was also a source of inspiration both on the pitch and away from the TV cameras and the eyes of Arsenal’s increasingly impatient supporters.

Revealingly, Theo Walcott said afterwards that Van Persie played an important role in lifting the players’ morale during the 15-minute recess, reminding them not only how victory was still within their grasp but how significant a passage to the fifth round of the Cup could be to the team’s rollercoaster season.

In the second half, the No.10 threw himself into the task of changing the outcome of the result, as well as the restless atmosphere in N5. He snapped at the heels of his opponents, linked cleverly with Arsenal’s midfield runners and moved Villa’s shell-shocked defenders out of position.

It appeared to be Van Persie’s personal mission to exorcise the gloom generated by three league defeats on the spin, not to mention the trophy drought that, in defining matches, acts like a lead weight around the shoulders of the players.

The player who was rested from the third round triumph over Leeds United behaved like stage two of the old competition was the most important encounter of the season. He visibly encouraged his team-mates, leading by both word and deed. When he scored the third goal, he leaped into the arms of his manager.

Arsenal’s pain has become Van Persie’s pain. Their joy has become his joy. He cares. Deeply. The rebellious but extravagantly gifted youngster who spent his early years at Arsenal picking as many fights as he accumulated injuries has become the heartbeat and standard-bearer of the team.

The armband is not just a symbol of his seniority or superior talent. He considers it a responsibility, something to be cherished and a force for fostering good. For him, the Arsenal captaincy is not an ego trip or a vehicle for enhanced commercial exposure.

There used to be a sense among the coaching staff that Van Persie played too much for himself. Yes, he was capable of the most ridiculous pieces of skill, but there were too many attempts at scene-stealing moments.

Not anymore. He has matured into the consummate centre-forward who, not only scores goals for fun, but can play with his head up or his back to goal. His touch is velcro, the movement slippery and he can score all types of goals – right foot, in the air, inside the six-yard box, from distance and all angles. The left foot, of course, is capable of both murderous power and the most delicate precision.

Van Persie’s two second-half penalties against Villa took his haul for the season to 25 goals in 29 Arsenal games, which would be an astounding record for a pure predator never mind one who is a creator as well as a finisher of goals. In the process, he took his tally for the club to 120, joining another Dutch master, Dennis Bergkamp.

The mysterious injuries have dried up, too. Whether it is because of a more individualistic training regime or a better knowledge of his own explosive skills, Van Persie has stayed fit for over 12 months.

The 28-year-old has always been an opinionated and outspoken figure in the dressing room. He is Dutch, after all.

But, with the greying of the temples has come greater wisdom. His colleagues have responded this season to his spirit and passion since he replaced Cesc Fabregas as skipper. The dressing room is said to be a happier and less factionalised place.

Van Persie has taken responsibility for organising team get-togethers, while his wife Bouchra is said to be conduit for many of the social activities of the Arsenal WAGS.

Yet the elephant in the room is the future of the captain and talisman. He turns 29 in August, when he will have entered the final year of his contract, and has made it clear to the club that he will not discuss new terms until the end of the season.

Van Persie had a strong negotiating position when he made that decision last September. He holds all the aces now.

The player’s representatives are all too well aware that he can double his money at one of Europe’s biggest spenders, never mind increase his chances of having some silverware to polish.

Yet Van Persie’s commitment to adding to a solitary FA Cup medal in 2005 remains total. There is no sense of him taking his foot off the pedal or saving himself for another employer, as others have done before him, both at Arsenal and elsewhere.

You sense his burning desire to turn the last seven years into something more tangible than a place in the Champions League draw, however significant that is to the club’s bean-counters.

Van Persie wants glory and has the armoury to achieve it. On an uplifting afternoon, he proved he has the capacity to inspire the deeds of others, too.

Chelsea captain John Terry out of Swansea match with knee injury

England skipper has been suffering from fluid in the knee sustained against Portsmouth when he collided with the goal post, but should be back for game against Manchester United

Chelsea captain John Terry will miss the club's Premier League clash with Swansea City because of a knee injury he picked up in the third round of the FA Cup against Portsmouth.

The England international has fluid in his knee joint after colliding with the goal post while clearing the ball off the line, and despite playing through the pain in recent weeks he will now miss the game against Premier League newcomers Swansea.

"It's just a bone oedema that he has been carrying for some time since he collided with a post, and this stops him a little bit," Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas told Chelsea TV.

"It's nothing serious but something to keep an eye on. He has had an MRI before and he should be okay for [Sunday's game against] Man United."

The news creates an opportunity for new signing Gary Cahill to make his first appearance for the club since his £7 million move to Stamford Bridge from Bolton.

"We have a lot of positions covered of course because of our squad, we have Gary [Cahill] and David [Luiz] available and competing and hopefully we can make the right decision."

Villas-Boas also spoke of other absentees, including Frank Lampard, John Ob-Mikel and Ramires, who suffered medial ligament damage during Saturday's 1-0 victory over QPR in the FA Cup.

"It's unfortunate for the team; 'Rami' is one of the most used players of the team with excellent individual performances and always helping the team to get results," Villas-Boas said.

"With what could have happened, it's just good news that he will be out for a short amount of time. Hopefully he will be available for the Napoli game, and hopefully before.

"On another front, Mikel will be out of the game and 'Lamps' still out. Frank's rehabilitation is going well, we are trying to reintroduce him gradually to the first-team activities.

"Frank felt that it was still a little bit soon to come back and went on to work with the physios, so hopefully after Swansea we will get him ready for the Man United game."

Source: goal.com